Compact front end panels

Post Sat May 10, 2014 6:22 pm

A mate hit a deer in his compact a couple of weeks ago - it needs a bonnet, grill panel, possibly the front crossmember bumper and slam panel and a wing. Insurance naturally have wrote it off and said he can have 500 cash after his xs and keep the car. As he's just spent a load on getting it mechanically perfect he doesn't want to let it go so wants a hand repairing it - although if there is any welding involved it's a non starter. Are the front end panels all bolt on ? We can get all the panels in the right colour for about £200 . Anything in particular to watch out for ? Is this a days work for a novice spanner monkey like me or longer ?

Post Sat May 10, 2014 6:26 pm

day should do it no problem, people say the front slam panels are bolt on they are but they fail to mention the two spot welds on each chassis leg.

So you'll want a mains drill with a spot weld drill bit. But if its all been apart before then that could save you a job!

You probably know but from the A pillar forward the panels are the same as a saloon/touring

Post Sat May 10, 2014 6:27 pm

All bolt on including the crossmember which bolts between the bumper mounts. It would have to be quite an unlucky hit to have damage the main legs.

No idea where to source them, but bumpers, wings, indicators, bonnet, grilles and nosecone are all shared with saloon and tourings too.

I think the only compact specific bits are the headlights as they not have the projector section in the main beam that other e36s do, and are wired up slightly differently.

There's a slight difference between pre and post facelift panels, but it's only really the shape of the chrome bits on the grilles and the shape of the side repeater.

Post Sat May 10, 2014 6:42 pm

Cheers guys sounds doable then. Think my mate already has the parts side of things in hand it's just swapping them over we need to sort out.

Post Sun May 11, 2014 10:48 am

I suppose some-one has to say it....

'Oh dear!'

Post Sun May 11, 2014 11:05 am

I think it only really needs bonnet bumper and grill panel. We are going to swap at least one wing as part of the job as it has a bit of blistering on the arch but no actual panel damage. Was just going to swap the slam panel as a precaution as the bonnet wouldn't open at first so not sure if it's damaged or we can knock it back out. Crossmember may be ok k the bumper and bonnet took the brunt of it. Was a glancing blow too not a full on smack. Such a shame it was a very tidy car beforehand.